Tag: rose

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Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Shalom Snail
“Our Lady of Guadalupe”
©️2022 Gloria M. Chang

In December’s dawn, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, painting heaven’s love on his tilma forever.

Nican Mopohua (“Here It is Told”)

From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century (Liturgy of the Hours translation)

At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God’s commandments.… Read the rest

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The Root of Jesse, Day 4

Photo of snail and rose speaking Isaiah 11:5 about the justice and faithfulness of the Messiah: like Father, like Son.
“The Root of Jesse, Day 4”
Isaiah 11:5
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang

The Messiah judges not by sight or rumor, but by the heart—like Father, like Son.

Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide, 
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted.

… Read the rest
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The Root of Jesse, Day 3

Photo of snail and purple bellflowers with text overlay of the Isaiah 11:2-3 about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“The Root of Jesse, Day 3”
Isaiah 11:2b-3a
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang

The Spirit rests upon the Root of Jesse, pouring out the gifts of the Holy Spirit: counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

A spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.

… Read the rest
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No Marriage in Heaven?

Photo of three roses facing the sun with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "No Marriage in Heaven?"
“No Marriage in Heaven?”
A reflection on Luke 20:27-36
Saturday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
©️2024 Gloria M. Chang

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’

… Read the rest
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Prayer for Jerusalem

Photo of snail and rose speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Prayer for Jerusalem."
“Prayer for Jerusalem”
A reflection on Ezekiel 37:11-14 and Luke 19:41-44
Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
©️2023 Gloria M. Chang

In our collective journey to wholeness, may our Prayer for Jerusalem breathe life into dry bones and fulfill God’s promise of restoration.… Read the rest

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Living Stones of the New Jerusalem

Photo of snail and roses speaking the Shalom Snail couplet, "Living Stones of the New Jerusalem."
“Living Stones of the New Jerusalem”
A reflection on Luke 21:5-19
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
©️2022 Gloria M. Chang Revised 2025

How will the living stones of the New Jerusalem arise from the temple’s destruction?

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

… Read the rest
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Beyond Consanguinity

Photo of snail and rose with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Beyond Consanguinity."
“Beyond Consanguinity”
A reflection on Luke 14:25-26
Wednesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang

What does it mean to love beyond consanguinity and place Christ above all earthly ties?

Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, “If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

… Read the rest
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Beyond Justice

Photo of snail and roses with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Beyond Justice."
“Beyond Justice”
A reflection on Luke 14:12-14
Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
©️2024 Gloria M. Chang

What if true blessing lies beyond justice, in a mercy that demands no return?

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.

… Read the rest